Topic: Market Commentary
Investors of all types, including those that represent institutions, are clearly feeling more uneasy than they have in years. It isn’t just the spike in stock market volatility that buffeted investors in the fourth quarter of 2018 (after a prolonged period of abnormally low volatility), but the magnitude of the swings that may be the culprit. We researched the worst and best S&P 500 performing Decembers and Januarys since 1928...
Read nowTopic: Market Commentary
Beginning in January and now continuing into February, stock markets have rallied on positive news in areas of concern – mostly on the policy front. We remain cautious as in our view, policy risk tends to be the most difficult to price, but also the most likely to surprise...
Read nowTopic: Market Commentary
As we bid farewell to 2018 and head into 2019, I am pleased to provide you with an update on developments at Commonfund as well as our perspective on the markets and investing. Our roots as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the financial interests of institutional investors provides...
Read NowTopic: Market Commentary
But at least it’s not the Grinch Who Stole Christmas...Recent volatility in the financial markets and a bit of softer inflation data had investors hoping for a holiday season treat from the FOMC in December. An immediate pause in interest rates was very unlikely, but some guidance towards a slower pace in...
Read nowTopic: Market Commentary
The markets are certainly making investors uncomfortable lately. However, market corrections, especially late in the cycle should be expected and can be healthy. We have experienced five sell-offs (and recoveries!) of similar magnitude in the last five years. Unfortunately, 2018 brought the markets back to a more normal level of volatility after investors were lulled into a sense of riskless comfort in 2017. Despite the recent market instability, we still see three reasons to be optimistic...
Read nowTopic: Market Commentary
Mid-year has come and gone and until recently the markets were behaving like it’s 2017 all over again. Through July, the S&P 500 Index has had four straight months of gains. U.S. Treasury yields are relatively contained and the 10-year bond seems to have found resistance at the 3 percent level. Lastly, it seemed as though the spike in volatility that we saw early in the year had subsided
Read nowTopic: Industry Knowledge | Market Commentary
The Federal Reserve Governors have been waiting patiently for a meaningful jump in inflation to validate the removal of historically low interest rates that laid the foundation for the economic recovery since the financial crisis. And . . . while The Fed continues to wait . . .
Read nowTopic: Industry Knowledge | Market Commentary
Ultimately, the decision to increase rates was unanimous as the vote was 8-0. Federal Reserve officials raised interest rates for the second time this year and upgraded their forecast to four total increases in 2018, as unemployment fell and inflation exceeded their targets faster than previously projected.
Read nowTopic: Market Commentary
Volatility returned in force the in first quarter of 2018 and both stock and bonds posted negative returns, making for a challenging quarter for investors. The resurgence in market volatility had many investors turning the calendar on March 31st with trepidation...
Read nowTopic: Asset Allocation | Industry Knowledge | Investment Strategy | Market Commentary
In this Commonfund Forum 2018 general session, featured speaker Ian Bremmer shares his insights and views to help us understand the broader global issues we need to consider as we formulate policy portfolios for the years ahead.
View now
